How to Improve the Health of Your Entire Family

Two years ago, a visit with the doctor revealed that my husband had high cholesterol. Not alarmingly high, but high enough he needed to make a change. Our life was already so jam-packed full that he tried to eat better but it still wasn't enough. So he decided to start going to the gym again.

Being the amazingly supportive wife I am, I would get resentful when he would leave me with the kids for a couple hours on Saturday and Sunday to go to the gym. And then I would feel guilty for giving him attitude because he was trying to take care of himself. I wanted him to be healthy, but I hated that it was taking a huge chunk out of our weekend together. It was a no-win situation.

One of the biggest blessings of my fitness journey is something I didn't expect. Because, although I was the one who signed up for a challenge group, it wasn't just me who lost weight and became more fit. My husband benefited from this, too. He lost twenty pounds and his cholesterol came down to a healthy range by simply following the program I was on.

And really, it was easy. I prepped my meals...I prepped his. I worked out and asked him to join me....he joined me. As busy as we are, it really wasn't hard. We just got up 30 minutes earlier than we normally would, knocked it out, and then felt good about ourselves the rest of the day. By eating clean, whole foods, we were able to eat delicious, healthy food and never be hungry. The weight came off quickly, which made it all the more motivating to keep going!

Dying after Cardio Xtreme! 

As women we have a lot of influence in the home. If we want our families to be healthier, it starts with us. Whether that means reading a book on clean eating, taking family walks after dinner, joining a challenge group or preparing healthy lunches for your kids, the small choices you make will steer your family one way or another. We have the privilege of being a catalyst for change in our families, which I see as a great opportunity!

When you are living a healthy lifestyle, it will trickle down to your husband and children. If you want your family to be healthier, start with yourself. They will follow your lead. There are so many tasty and healthy recipes, and so many options for quick workouts, that it's really not hard. Getting over the mental obstacle of thinking you can't do it is the hardest part.

So start with one small change tomorrow. It doesn't have to be drastic! Have fruit with your sandwich instead of chips. Have celery sticks and peanut butter instead of crackers. Drink your coffee black or with cinnamon and unsweetened almond milk instead of creamer. Once you've made that change a habit, move onto something else. These seemingly small and insignificant changes will add up over time and will equal a healthier, happier you and family.

Another Post-Workout Sweatie Selfie

I'm so glad we found an alternative to my husband's weekend warrior gym escapades. Our workouts are sometimes the only time we spend together all day. When that alarm goes off in the morning, we're tired and have crazy hair. But we motivate each other, throw our workout clothes on, run downstairs and hit play. We laugh at each other and tease each other throughout the workouts. It's a ritual that we really enjoy now. So when the weekends roll around, not only do we enjoy more leisurely time together, we're both healthier and happier.